Too Sweet in the Shenandoah November 1, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Friends, Photography, Travels.Tags: Photography, shenandoah valley
3 comments
So as I’ve previously mentioned here, I recently spent a day in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. And while the scenery was truly magnificent, I must admit that I was feeling a might bit homesick during my stay. Having been on the road for 10 days and 1700 miles at that point, and knowing another 1000 miles lay between me and the bayou, I’ve got to say that I was kind of wishing I could hop on a plane and be done with those traveling blues that I was momentarily suffering from. And as I sat gazing over a mountain so full of orange and red and yellow leafed trees that it appeared as if on fire, I was actually trying to conjure up images of the marsh landscape I was missing so deeply. But as I was about to put myself out of my misery, take a nap and hope for dreams of orange sunsets and red fishes and yellow corks bobbing in calm dark waters, a precious little girl approached and said, “You know there are a lot of fun things to take pictures of around here. Want me to show you?” But of course! How can you resist a private tour by a Shenandoah Valley expert? Let’s go!
Oh yes, that leaf is very pretty. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that rock is very interesting. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that water is very clear. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that bird cage is precious. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that flag is darling. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that birdhouse is very well crafted. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, that swing does look very fun. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, Hunter does go very fast on that tractor. Yes, of course I will take a picture of him.
Oh yes, that frog does look very slimy. Yes, of course I will take a picture of him.
Oh yes, we should let him go to catch another day. But yes, of course I will take a picture him before he hops away.
Oh yes, that leaf does look like a heart. Yes, of course I will take a picture of it.
Oh yes, my friends, she is too sweet and did steal my heart. Thank you Reese for showing me all of the wonderful things to take pictures of in your world. I never would have noticed them without you as my expert guide.
Never stop exploring my little friend.
We’re On a Mission… October 28, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Photography, Travels.Tags: chicago, millenium park
2 comments
…a mission from God. So I wanted to share two more pics from my Saturday afternoon in the City of Big Shoulders, but WordPress was not cooperative this morning. Let’s see if it wants to play nice this evening.
It Was a Vision of Power October 27, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Photography, Travels.Tags: Anish Kapoor, chicago, cloud gate, millenium park, Photography
4 comments
It’s a 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes; it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it!
And with that, WordPress has decided to stop cooperating. Too bad. Those last two pics I was going to share were pretty cool…but maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.
Only if you have been in the deepest valley… October 24, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Photography, Travels.Tags: fall, mountain, shenandoah valley
4 comments
Although not one of my favorite historical figures, I have found this bit of wisdom from Nixon to ring true many times in my life…”Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnficant it is to be on the highest mountain.” And here are a few shots of the Shenandoah Valley type.
Many Miles to Go October 20, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Coastal Restoration, Family, Friends, Photography, Travels.Tags: brookfield zoo, chicago, Coastal Restoration, millenium park, niu
4 comments
So I’ve been on the road over the last week and still have many miles to go before I sleep (and go fishing). But while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed scenes such as these…
I’m thoroughly missing scenes like these.
Keep Grand Isle Grand August 21, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Coastal Restoration, Photography, Travels.Tags: Bayou Grace, BTNEP, clean-up, Coastal Restoration, Community Coffee, Grand Isle, Lousisiana, marsh
6 comments
So last weekend I went to Grand Isle with my new co-worker in crime for a volunteer beach clean-up event sponsored by the Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program. While we were certainly excited to lend a helping hand and get away for a quick trip to the island, we were also on a fact-finding mission. Wendy and I are in the process of putting some new twists in the Bayou Grace volunteer program so I guess you could say we were on a mini working vacation of sorts. Aside from clean-up events such as this, we are also working on programming that would get local and out-of-state volunteers out in the marsh planting vegetation in our critical efforts to restore as much of the 2300+ square miles of land lost in coastal Louisiana since the 1930s. We’ve also got some pretty great ideas for building elevated gardens for elderly and disabled residents in our area and we are even hoping to be able to bring a number of community gardens to fruition.
More on all of this later, but for now go and check out Wendy’s story about the Grand Isle Beach Sweep, take a guess on what I’m doing in one of her excellent photographs and enter yourself in her contest for a chance to win a Community Coffee mug and enjoy this pic of the groovy cool new sign on the island. Oh, and have I told you lately how much I love my job!
Fun With Picasa August 17, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Photography, Ramblings, Travels.Tags: photo of the day, Photography, picasa
4 comments
So I haven’t posted anything in over three weeks and today I decide that I should have two posts in the same day? Yep, it’s a crazy mixed up world. How bout some fun with Picasa? I love Picasa. It’s so easy to play around and experiment with my photos. Like this…
and this…
and this…
and one more.
And maybe one more pic of a really happy dog at the beach.
So, maybe the photo of the day should make a reappearance? I guess we’ll see.
Really? July 25, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Coastal Restoration, Ramblings, Travels.Tags: coastal protection, Coastal Restoration, marsh, ps 22 chorus
3 comments
Has it really been that long since my last post?
Diane + Vacation = Bad Blogger
Diane + Vacation/Record cool temperatures in Michigan = Very Bad Blogger
Diane + Vacation/Record cool temperatures in Michigan * Recovering from vacation = Tremendously Bad Blogger
OK, I promise that as soon as my brain is back in bayou mood I’m going to tell why this young man is sitting on this mound of dirt eating a Subway sandwhich with filthy, mud-encrusted hands…
but in the meantime, how bout getting down with my favorite kids from PS 22? Life is short my friends, so just let yourself go and dance! You know you want to!
Scenic Overlook July 9, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Travels.Tags: Appalachian Trail, Graves Hill, Gun Lake, Hall Lake, Michigan, North Country Scenic Trail, Yankee Springs
1 comment so far
So I decided to take a short hike up to one of my favorite places as a kid spending my summers on Gun Lake–Graves Hill. I haven’t been up there for a number of years, but I remember getting so excited when I was a kid and we would get the chance to take my brother’s dune buggy up there. I would literally run to the top of the hill to take in the view of the lake below. It seemed like you could see for miles and miles. Nowadays you can’t get too close by car (or dune buggy) since most of the area has been cut off to motorized vehicles, but I don’t mind because I enjoy hiking the vast trail system of the Yankee Springs Recreation Area.
So I started out on the Hall Lake trail.
And enjoyed the beautiful view of Hall Lake. Everything was so green.
Then I continued on the trail, part of which connects with the North Country National Scenic Trail which currently travels through seven states, and when completed, will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States. And I thought of my nephew Anthony, recent Pioneer High grad, and at this very moment making his way through Maine hiking the 2,178 mile Appalachian Trail. Way to go buddy!!!
Then I saw the marker for Graves Hill and started to get excited. I couldn’t wait to take some great pictures of that awesome view.
Up I went, stopping to enjoy the numerous wild raspberry and blackberry bushes that have grown up along the trail.
Then I saw the sign and felt like a kid again as I sprinted to the top of hill, camera in tow, for that gorgeous view.
And, well, ummm, geez, what happened??? That didn’t used to be there.
Well, at least I have my memories. It was beautiful.
Traditions July 6, 2009
Posted by dianehuhn in Family, Travels.Tags: elmwood beach, flash gordon, Gun Lake, huhn, Michigan, parade, ring of fire, wonder woman
5 comments
Ahhhh…..vacation. It’s a beautiful word. And even more beautiful because I’m spending it in one of my favorite places on Earth. Forty-nine years ago, my parents bought a little piece of property on Gun Lake, built a small summer cottage, and now almost five decades later, four generations of the Huhn clan gather here as often as they can.
The 4th of July is always special, and I dare say that it is one of my favorite holidays ever. Fireworks on Independence Day Eve…
followed by the Ring of Fire (during which I had the honor of being the official flare lighter this year with Dad’s flamethrower)…
followed in the morning by the 35th Annual Elmwood Beach 4rh of July Parade during which a blast from the past hit the street after a good 20 year hiatus.
Even Wonder Woman came out of retirement for the festivities…
and I did manage to get a pic of the elusive Flash Gordon, albeit fuzzy, but boy, that guy is lightning fast.
Of course, after the parade, there was time for a little swimming…
and a little boating…
and a little tubing…
and then it was time for a little nap.
