Quiet Reflections

Nestled mountains. Deep woods. Dark skies. Foggy nights. Driving down the twisty, pitch-black roads of North Carolina, it's just you, the roar of your engine, the rumble of your tires, and the wind whipping through your hair. Stopping along the side of the road with the engine off, there's a comforting silence as you realize how secluded and far away you are from the bustling city life of the daily grind. As you listen more closely, it's not so silent as the insects restart their interrupted chitchat, and the startled animals go about their business once more.

Being on the outskirts of the Great Smoky Mountains, I felt blessed to have the opportunity to experience this fine landscape. As I rummaged about the side of the road in search of a geocache, I could distinctly feel the muggy night air clinging to my skin. Nevertheless, I was much relieved with the cooler night temperatures over the daytime 80's and hot sun. For safety reasons, I left my hazards blinking which became the only source of light in my immediate area until I brought out the flashlight to scope out the roadside stone wall. After finding the cache, I eyed the lights beyond the lake. Without a tripod, I made do with the car door to stabilize the camera. You would think that the glow of lights would be silent in the depths of such a black night, yet it was quite alive by the few workers out there at this old powerhouse. Due to the surrounding silence, their voices carried clear across the water hinting of nearby civilization.

A mysterious place of tangled forests and glowing beauty, yet readily accessible for anyone's enjoyment. I can only imagine how the region displays a different face of beauty when blanketed in winter's snows.

Flooding Reigns

Our area got hit by a Nor'easter which dumped about six inches of rain in a mere 24 hours. The reports said we received more rain in that timeframe than the average month of April! Ouch. It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to guess what happened. Flooding, downed trees and erosion. Rivers carving out new paths or expanding their paths as seen with this stand of trees along the river's edge.

Streams forming where none existed prior such as with this house's front yard.


When Hurricane Floyd passed through, one of the damns north of us broke which sent extra water barrelling downstream. As a result, this bridge gave out, but obviously it has since been rebuilt. So far, it's held up over the years and even through this very wet weather as the water fights to pass under.

Sunny Shores of Belmar, NJ

I decided to take an impromptu trip to Belmar, NJ which is along the shore around the central portion of the state near that little crook in its Atlantic side. In my many years in the tri-state area, I'd heard a lot about the place (and its neighboring towns), but never went. I figured with temps still too chilly for sun seekers and teenie boppers, it'd be best to check it out now. I would also be avoiding the crazy shore traffic all along the Garden State Parkway.

It's not a particularly large town so I easily explored its streets before taking a walk on the beach. There was a good breeze coming off the waters that gave the air a cold edge. Factored in with the salty surf drifting in and out of my Keens, I was starting to wish I had brought a little more warmth. This was all quickly forgotten as I scanned across the line of sand and water whose form was evolving before my eyes. A few hardy surfers enjoyed the exuberance of the ocean's energy, while lovers created their isolated worlds on a spot of sand. I had a quiet moment with the breaking waters and stolid rocks as I stole heat from the sun-warmed sand. I couldn't help but see the ocean as one giant being with a multitude of amoeba-like pseudopods that can just grab you like an impetuous child wanting to play yet unaware of the potential consequences. Reaching out to grab the ocean, I only found water and not my playmate.