Suspension Bridge

Looking back here to my hike last Friday from Richmond to Belle Isle, Virginia. This is the ramp leading to the suspension bridge that takes pedestrians across to Belle Isle.

Elves?

Greensprings Interpretive Trail

Late Afternoon Light

Virginia Capitol Trail

Capitol Trail

The Virginia Capitol Trail, as its name suggests, is a multi-use trail connecting the former capitol of Virginia, Williamsburg, with the current capitol, Richmond, a distance of some 50 miles one-way.

The Swamp

As I recall, it was DJT who promised to "drain the swamp" some eight years ago when he ran for president the first time. Now, as the Washington Post put it this past October, "he swims in it." According to the article, the Duck said, “I had no idea the swamp was that dirty, that disgusting and that deep.” 

Well, Donald, now you know. 

Calm

Greensprings Interpretive Trail

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday

Election Eve

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Well, folks, I'll be at the polls tomorrow well before dawn in order to greet folks as they arrive to vote beginning at 6 a.m. I don't expect to be home again until . . . well, who knows when. More than 40% of the registered voters in my precinct have already voted, suggesting that we well may be heading toward a record turnout for a presidential election. 

Will we know the result before I get home? Not likely, given our multiple time zones in the States. More likely, the race will be called in the wee hours of Wednesday morning when I HOPE to be fast asleep in bed. :-)

Hikers

Takinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

 

Decay

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

The Path Ahead

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Another World

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

There's been a good deal said as of late here in the United States about what helps keep people sane during what has been an extraordinarily fractious presidential campaign. For me, it's long walks, especially in the woods. I relish these moments, especially as I will be pretty much in the thick of things as I go to work the polls on Election Day from five o-clock in the morning until--well, until all the votes in that precinct are counted, no matter how long that may take. I think it was the last presidential election when I didn't get back home until the wee hours of the next morning. 

I know none of my blogger friends would dream of cursing or abusing election officials. But every election there are some who do so. All we can do in response is just to smile and thank them for voting. It's in moments like those that I it helps, I think, to remember that there's another world out there filled with wonder and beauty, waiting to be enjoyed.

Light

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Late afternoon. Sunlight still stealing its way through breaks in the forest cover. Pools of light gathering on the forest floor. My favorite time to be in the woods.

Gate

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Overlook

Bald Eagle Overlook

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Gnarly

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

My old favorite.

POV

 

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Laurel & Pine

Taskinas Creek Trail

York River State Park

Mountain Laurel and Eastern White Pine are, for me, kind of like Rosemary & Thyme, Simon & Garfunkel, or maybe Sonny & Cher (Oops! I guess that last one didn't last). :-)

Experiment

More of an experiment than anything else. I wanted to see if I could somehow capture the sunlight streaming through this maple leaf I spotted while walking the Virginia Capital Trail near Greensprings. I was using an Apple iPhone 13 (ISO 50 - 48mm - f1.6 - 1/1992 s).

Formidable

Powhatan Creek Trail

Mushrooms #3

Greensprings Interpretive Trail