Across the Ocean...

Angel with the Sudarium, Ponte Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok


From yesterday's natural angel we cross the ocean to a man made angel (young in comparison, a mere 342 years old). Designed by the great Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and sculpted by Cosimo Fancelli in 1669, this stone angel is one of ten on the ancient Roman bridge that spans the Tiber River between Castel Sant'Angelo and the city's historic center. Each angel holds an instrument from the Passion. This one displays the Veil of Veronica, often called the Sudarium, which is said to have the likeness of the face of Jesus imprinted on it from when Veronica wiped the sweat off Christ's face during his struggle toward Calvary. The genius of Bernini can be seen in the complex textures and curving shapes of an angel transformed from stone to art.

Around the Bend...

Angle Oak, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


The Angel Oak is estimated to be as much as 1500 years old, making it the oldest living thing east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a 25 foot diameter live oak tree, one of the largest in the country, that shades an astounding area of over 17,000 square feet. Its longest limb is 105 feet long! Many of these limbs are so heavy that they rest on the ground.  The name "Angel Oak" comes from the couple, Justus Angel and Martha Waight Tucker Angel, who received it as part of their marriage settlement from the Waight family (the owners for four generations).  Now owned by the City of Charleston, it is even more spectacular because there is no admission fee!

For another image of this amazing behemoth, see this post.

Misty Monday - Curving Country Road

Country Road, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


A country road curves towards the dreamy mists of early morning on John's Island, a rural sea island near Charleston. This road leads to the ancient Angel Oak, estimated to be the oldest living thing east of the Rockies. I'll show you an image of that Methuselah-like tree on tomorrow's post.

Trinity Church Sunday

Trinity United Methodist Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This antebellum church was designed in the style of a Roman temple, with a lofty portico, ornate Corinthian columns, and an elegant medallion in the center of the ceiling.

The image was made with a technique I like to use when I don't have a tripod handy for a long exposure, or want an unusual perspective on a subject that is commonly photographed in a straight forward way. I lay the camera on the ground pointed upward and release the shutter using the timer. In this instance, a wide angle lens emphasizes the receding lines of the columns and the tall wooden door. Turning the camera on the diagonal creates a more dynamic image.

Impression of a Sunrise IV

Great Blue Heron, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A Great Blue Heron glides across harbor waters just as the sun peeks over Sullivan's Island on the horizon.

Twisted Trees

Twisted Coastal Live Oaks, Kiawah Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


At the edge of the ocean, this glowing cluster of coastal live oaks twist and turn from the constant force of winds sweeping off the sea. Like durable trees on mountaintops, they are survivors.
Hope you survive your weekend!

Clip Clop, Clip Clop...

Shadows of a Horse and Carriage, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Clip clop, clip clop... neighhhhh, snort, nicker, whinny, pbbbbb...  "and over here to your left you'll see the Nathaniel Russell House. Built in 1809, it is one of America's most important neo-classical dwellings..."
Carriage tours through the historic district are a part of Charleston's charm, as they offer visitors a slow paced, leisurely view of the city's beautiful and historic setting. This 19th century mode of transportation is so authentic that you might imagine you glimpsed Rhett Butler strolling along a promenade, arm in arm with a lovely southern belle.

This is one of the images from inside this year's Festival of Houses and Gardens brochure (see the post for April 5th).

Bridge Wednesday - Purple and Blue and Clouds Too

Purple People Bridge, Newport, Kentucky  © Doug Hickok


Here's a bridge to get you to the end of the week. This is the Purple People Bridge of Newport, Kentucky, otherwise known as the Devou Suspension Bridge. It spans the Ohio River, connecting Kentucky with Ohio, and dates from 1872. This colorful bridge has been used by railroads, street cars, and automobiles, but today it is used as a pedestrian bridge, providing beautiful vistas of the Cincinnati waterfront and river valley. It's interesting to note that you can rent the bridge for private events, such as weddings and dinners. You can also participate in bridge climbs, as they do in Australia and New Zealand. But you had better know how to climb a bridge. If you fall off, you'll never get to Friday.

Festival of Houses and Gardens

Tropical Flower Vine, Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The Festival of Houses and Gardens is conducted every Spring by the Historic Charleston Foundation and runs March 17th through April 16th. Select private homes and gardens are open to the public for tours during this time so that visitors can experience first hand the splendor of these beautiful places.
I've been fortunate over the years that many of my images have been featured on the cover and inside the ticket brochure. Graphic designer, Lee Helmer, does a fabulous job creating the brochure each year. Here is the cover shot of this year's brochure. I'll also post a few more images that were used in this publication over the next week or so.

Brochure

Mysterious Monday - Light Keeper's House

Caretaker's House, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


Legend has it that the Heceta Head Lighthouse is haunted by the Lady in Gray, or Rue as she is called. She was the wife of an assistant light keeper in the late 1800's who lost her young daughter to a drowning in the waters near the coast. In despair, Rue took her own life.
It fits the story that the word "rue" in English means regret or sorrow. Since then, many people have reported seeing or hearing her ghost in and around the lighthouse and the caretaker's house.
 On a misty and moody evening, I made this image of the light keeper's house as I walked down the hill from the lighthouse, and the gloom of the coastal fog moved in. I thought for an instant I saw something move in the darkening shadows. Was someone on the porch? What was that light in the attic? Could it have been the Lady in Gray?

Saint Matthias Sunday

Matthias Church, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok


The Church of Our Lady, better know as Matthias Church, rises prominently on Budapest's Castle Hill, overlooking the Danube River. Originally constructed in the 13th century, it was the city's first parish church. In 1541, during the Ottoman occupation, it was transformed into a mosque. The current appearance of the church dates form the 19th century, and reflects its splendid original Gothic architectural style. This image shows the colorful tiles which form intricate diamond patterns on the steep roof tops.

Bike Taxi at Night

Bike Taxi on King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Charleston's bike taxis are a fun way to get around the historic district when you want to go a bit faster than your feet will carry you. These taxi drivers will be very busy this weekend as approximately 100,000 visitors are expected in the area for various events, the biggest being the Cooper River Bridge Run. Also being held here is the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament, the Flowertown Festival, and the Festival of Houses and Gardens tours.
Good luck finding a parking space.

My House

Antebellum Mansion, High Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Perhaps some of you have been wondering what my house looks like. Well, here it is. This is my town house. I'm upstairs doing some late night reading.

Antiques, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


These are some of my antiques in the entrance hall. That's an original Sully.

Classic Automobile, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


 This is my driving-around-town car. It's a replica of a classic MGTD.  I built it myself with a kit from British Coach Works.


Oh wait, what's today? Is this the first day of April? Well I'll be darned...
April Fools!

The Double-Breasted House

Double Breasted House, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This Georgian mansion dates from around 1760 and is called the double-breasted house due to the protrusion of its pair of curved bays, seen above, added at a later date. In 1861 Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was headquartered here when the Civil War broke out with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. It has been said that when he first arrived in Charleston, his hair was black, but by the time Charleston fell a few years later, his hair had turned white. It's also been said he kept four mistresses. Hmmmm. One wonders which was the real reason for his premature white. Speculation runs rampant.

Red Letter Day!

Letters on the Back of a Fork Lift, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Today is a red letter day! It is the first and only, er... Wednesday of the week!
 I think a celebration is in order. Enjoy!

Bluesy Tuesday - Shrimp Boats

Shrimp Boats on Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok


Shem Creek is a popular place to berth boats of all sorts... sail boats, mid-sized yachts, deep sea fishing vessels, and especially shrimp boats. The shrimping industry is important to the local economy. But times are changing, and shrimpers are feeling the pinch of higher costs, decline in the demand for ocean caught shrimp, and government regulation. Some shrimpers say in 20 years or so, the industry could be sunk. It's true there are fewer shrimp boats tying up at Shem Creek these days. Instead they're being replaced more and more by pleasure craft. Even kayakers make their home here now.
On a brighter note, if you relish seafood, Shem Creek is the waterfront spot to be. Restaurants line the docks on either side, and offer up delicious fare fresh from the deep blue sea.

Mysterious Misty Monday - Spooky Live Oaks

Cluster of Live Oak Trees, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


A word of caution: do not read this story, it may cause nightmares.
(Ok, you can read it if you dare, but I warned you)


This eerie cluster of live oaks grows hauntingly at the edge of the Wando River, which you can not see at the moment for it is shrouded in mysterious mists. Do not linger here for long. A feeling of disquiet may creep upon you in this pale unpleasant place. Strange and unearthly sounds have been known to echo ominously from the dire woodlands here, their cause unspeakable, unthinkable, unimaginable. Wraithlike shapes fade in and out of the foreboding fog. They are fleeting movements glimpsed from the corner of the eye, raising the hair on one's skin. Fear grips the heart. One cannot breathe. 
One cannot reason.
But, nevertheless, the fearless photographer, his pulse racing, his camera shaking in hand, endures the shuddersome sounds and sinister sights. He tiptoes closer. He finds the angle he seeks. He snaps the shutter, and as quickly as his two feet can carry him, he runs away. 
Later, back in the car, he takes comfort in a peanut butter and  jelly sandwich. 
But wait... what is that... dreadful... sound?

San Marco Sunday - All That Glitters Is Gold

Ornate Facade, Basilica di San Marco, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok


Even the casual observer can not help but marvel at the astounding beauty of the Basilica di San Marco. Just the ornate exterior alone gives one an inkling of just how powerful and prosperous the Venetian Republic once was. Most of the decorative art work seen here was added in the Gothic period, but the basilica itself is much older, dating from the Byzantine era. The winged lion is symbolic of Gospel author Saint Mark. The horse of course is symbolic of the patron saint of long shots, Saint Seabiscuit.


(Photo note: This image was made with a Nikon F3HP SLR body, a Nikkor 100mm f2.5 AIS lens, on Fujichrome Velvia RVP 100 color slide film)

"I'm All Shook Up..."

A Night on King Street, Elvis Style, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The big red pig hanging over the street marks the location of Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q restaurant, featuring delicious southern style barbecue. 
"...Mm Mm Mm, Oh, Yeah, Yeah!"

Zigzag Dunes

Sand Dunes, Carl G. Washburne State Park, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


Rows of transverse sand dunes zigzag across the beach at one of Oregon's many outstanding wild and scenic state parks. In the distance is the prominence of Heceta Head, topped by a bank of low hanging coastal fog. This headland was named after a Spanish adventurer who sailed this region in the late 1700's. 
If you're interested in exploring an adventure of your own, a pair of yurts (Mongolian-style tents) are available year round in this state park, offering a truly unique camping experience.
With that said, here's to a fun and adventuresome weekend!