Ice Storm in the Smoky Mountains

Good morning,

As we drove into the Great Smoky Mountains we saw that there had been a heavy ice storm.

The branches of the trees were still covered with thick layers of ice and were bent and broken under the weight.

Although the ice sparkled beautifully, the damage to the trees was severe.

Lois

More Winter Road Trip

Good morning,

These are more of the images I took as we moved into the rolling hills of Kentucky on our recent road trip.

Very pretty.

Looking into the forest was with the sun through the trees on the snow was beautiful.  I was able to identify some deer tracks.  It was so bitter cold I wondered how the wild animals manage to survive the winter.

The ice falls continued to provide the photo opportunities.

These pictures are a dramatic contrast to where I am now where it is much warmer.

To be continued....

:),
Lois

Winter Road Trip

Good morning,

I've had a chance to download and format the pictures I took last week on our way to Florida.  When we left Cincinnati it was bitter cold with snow on the ground and more snow on the way.

The ice waterfalls in northern Kentucky are pretty.  They are colored, though, by exhaust fumes of trucks climbing the hill from the Ohio River Valley.

Toward the top of the hill the ice isn't quite as stained by exhaust.

Although bitter cold, the weather was dry and sunny the day we left Cincinnati.

More images of our road trip to come....

All the best,
Lois

Where do Big Barns Come From?

Good morning,

Do you know where big barns come from?

They surely come from little barns!

Buy your little barn from a responsible breeder.

;),
Lois

OK - I get a little corny sometimes.  I think it's the weather.  ;)

No Day for a Picnic in Cincy

Good morning,

I'm going through pictures I took just before we left Cincinnati last week. 

There will be no picnics in Cincinnati for awhile!

;),
Lois

Meet Shadow

Good morning,

Meet Shadow.  That pretty feline is also a member of our household now that our Granddaughter Anna is living with us. 

Anna texted these images to me that she took with her camera phone.

Shadow was cuddling with Anna's knit hat that I made for her.

Although our dogs and Shadow get along just fine, Shadow lives in a part of the house where they are only together once in awhile.

That is a good thing.  ;)

All the best,
Lois

Quick Trip to Viera Wetlands

Good morning,

Whenever we get near Melbourne, Florida, we have to stop at Viera Wetlands for a quick visit.

There is always someone here to greet us and provide for some great images to take home.

The birds hang out here waiting for lunch to pass through the recirculating water.

Of course, Mr. Alligator is out there, too, waiting for lunch to pass by.

So pretty!

 These two young guys were here with their Mom who didn't seem to have them under control.  They were throwing rocks at alligators, who, incidentally, don't have any fences between them.  Not only is it dangerous, it is just plain WRONG to throw rocks at the animals at the Wetlands or anywhere.

The Mom in me told the kids to stop throwing the rocks which I did in my Mom voice.  When I mentioned it to their Mom who returned after she had wandered off to use a portable bathroom just outside the wetlands leaving them on their own, she was quite upset that I had told them to stop throwing rocks.  *sigh*

Another couple visiting the Wetlands who saw the whole exchange complimented me on telling the kids to stop throwing the rocks.  

Sometimes you just have to get involved.

Lois