Silhouettes

The sunsets have been incredible this past week. Last night while driving to see a couple of friends who live in the country, I noticed how beautiful the barren trees looked against the glowing sky. 

The temperatures have been fluctuating from high to low all winter. Last night it was warm enough for a bonfire. We huddled around the fire with our blankets wrapped around us and chatted away. The brightness of the stars that hung in the heavens shown down upon us. Our gaze went upwards in amazement at the beauty of it all.  

Not all beauty is lost in winter.  Sometimes we have to look a little harder for it or maybe not. 

Chasing Lighthouses

What better way to start the new year than by going on an adventure. Michigan's coasts are filled with lighthouses. So, a friend and I headed out on Friday afternoon for a mini holiday. January is not the greatest time of year to visit the beach but we didn't care about that. We piled on warm clothes and took a trip into the north country where snow is abundant and the Northerners aren't afraid of the weather. 

The first lighthouse that we visited was the Petite Point au Sable Lighthouse at Silver Lake State Park, near Mears, Michigan.  The blue skies accentuated the beauty of this brick lighthouse. 

Following the loss of the schooner called Pride in 1871, the government approved funding for the lighthouse in 1872 and construction began shortly thereafter. The first keeper of the lighthouse was James Davenport of Mackinac Island who lived in the keepers house built next to the lighthouse from 1873-1879. In 1899, the lighthouse was painted white so that it could be seen easily, but in the 1970's it was restored to its original brick.  Later the house was torn down but the lighthouse remained. 

My friend climbed the dune and was able to get a lovely view of the area.  The dunes were covered with snow and they were slick, so I stayed on the beach. 

When she climbed to the top, my friend discovered that the only way down was on her bum, so she slid gracefully to the bottom. 

  

We then traveled south to Grand Haven and happened to see a large boat in the harbor.  I tried very hard to catch up with it but was only able to see if from a distance. It still amazes me that something that large can float. The lighthouse was built in 1839. At night, it is lit up with lights marking the entrance of the Grand River. (It was here that I fell more than I walked along the pier the night before)

  As the day progressed, we decided to stay until sunset. 

I had never seen the sun go down near a large body of water and was anxious to witness the event. The wind was blowing at a surmountable speed and the temperature was felt far below what it actually was. Thirty minutes felt like forever in the wind and our lower extremities felt the cold more than our upper parts. 

The photographers lined up to see the show. Even Mickey Mouse wanted to have a look. (We counted 17 photographers) 

Then slowly the sun faded into the horizon, only to repeat again the next day. 

At the end of our adventure, I realized how special it was that two sets of footprints in the sand are much better than one, no matter where you are or what you are doing. "Experience is much better than the material things one can buy on adventures." She told me. Except when one needs hiking boots in order to be able to walk. The experience was priceless. 

The White Swan and Winter

Last night while driving over to my cousin's house I saw the Bass Mansion all lit up.  It is a beautiful place in the daytime, but at night it is a vision. 

The pond was surrounded with milk jugs filled with light.  Exactly how, I have no idea, but the effect is stunning, and from the road you cannot tell what the lights are. While visiting with my cousin I asked my aunt if she would like to go and see the covered bridge in Spencerville the next day.  So, today we decided to go on an adventure.  

Somehow, we ended up on the wrong road and went to another city. While trying to navigate with the GPS we drove past a white bridge. I saw the reflection in the water that was so lovely. I turned the car around.  I'm not sure if we were on private property or not but I drove up as close as I could leaving tire tracks in the grass. 

As I was backing up, my aunt noticed a lovely swan swimming gracefully in the pond.  I was out of the car again, hoping that the owners of the property were not home, I was really pressing my luck by staying so long.  Swans remind me of a ballerina or maybe I have seen The Nutcracker too many times. Their feathers seem light and airy as if they are floating around the body of the swan while they glide effortlessly in the water.  

We eventually made it to the Spencerville bridge that was built in 1873.  A year or so ago a semi truck drive got lost and drove across the bridge causing severe damage to the structure.  

There are now new boards in the upper portion of the bridge, supporting the structure.  

This is a view from the side of the bridge and below is a shot from inside looking out at the water. The reflection of the sky illuminated the water giving it a blue cast, it was absolutely beautiful.  

Here in Indiana it has been very warm and I would rather be outside than trapped indoors until April. 

Salomon Farm today

It wasn't until I began working at the hospital that I heard about Salomon Farm.  It is a couple of miles down the road with a walking trail.  With the promise of spring on the horizon, sunny skies and warm temperatures, I ventured out for a walk.  The farm was established in 1871, back when the north side of town was country land. Today, it is all built up with homes and businesses galore. 

During the summer there is a fresh market where vendors come weekly and sell their goods. Also, there is a walk with the MD (medical doctor) once a month.  A physician comes and gives a brief talk then the audience walks with the doctor around the farm promoting a healthy lifestyle. The natural fibers exhibit is there as well on a weekend in the summer too. From the road it is a lovely site.  

Spring is coming soon and then we will be free from the prison called home. We are on the cusp of being able to ramble through the greenery as if it were the first time we had ever seen such loveliness. 

The scarecrow silently points south

It is snowing here. We are in the midst of a winter storm. Yesterday the stores were packed with shoppers buying milk, bread, and cat food. Yes cat food.  

This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to get out and see the snow in its unadulterated form. I was donned with heavy coat, boots, scarf, and gloves. Nothing but beauty could penetrate my cumbersome exterior. 

I went to the public garden and witnessed a sun flower burdened with snow, it bends over in submission, much like we do when the weather is pounding on us with all its fury. 

A  snow covered fence and a lamp post add beauty to barren branches that were once filled with green leaves and surrounded by flowers.  

It is during these times that makes me think of a place far away...where the birds fly every year. The scarecrow silently points south.

Winter Blahs and wishing the season would just go away

I don't know about you, but this winter has been very hard on us here in the Midwest.  We have had more snow this winter than the past ten years.  The whole city is talking about the weather and more than just talking, people are complaining.  Snow boots are now everyday wear instead of getting their occasional use and I really don't want to wear tan suede everyday. For two days, I wore normal shoes to work and felt ever so much like a rebel. Yesterday I wore a sweatshirt and was elated. Then today came and the wind is blowing as if a tornado was near by.  I stand in front of the window with my nose pressed against the windowpane longing to go out.  Longing to feel warm breezes on my skin. Longing to take pictures again. Longing for the sun to warm the now frigid earth. 

Yesterday, I made my way to the camera shop.  I have been investigating lenses, especially the 50mm Canon f/1.8.  I asked the guy at the counter a billion questions and then decided on the lens that I wanted all along.  Today, I took it out for a spin, so to speak.  I really like the results for such a simple piece of camera equipment. 

I went to the Botanical Gardens and also to the Cathedral across the street.  The pictures are more sharp than any I have taken so far.  

 

 I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this new lens.

Tomorrow, I have a photo shoot scheduled for some friends of mine.  I can hardly wait to get there.

 

Besides all of this, I didn't carry a flash or reflectors, just the camera.  Isn't that the way it is supposed to be? Just a girl and her camera.