End of the (VA Wine) Trail
(HDR image of a vineyard and woods beyond in full fall regalia.) We arrived at Mountainrose in late morning after a beautiful, scenic ascent through Virginia coal country, through gorgeous farmland and glorious fall foliage. The trees were already at their peak and the fresh mountain wind was already beginning to denude the colorful woods. It was mostly overcast up in the hill country that day; for much of the day we had a glowering, dramatic sky (threatening, but never actually raining on us) — but every once in a while the fresh wind would rip away the cloud cover to briefly reveal a brilliant blue sky.
Fincastle Fields HDR
(HDR image of fence and fields at sunset, in Fincastle VA.) Yesterday evening we found ourselves in Fincastle, Virginia, rolling up near closing time at Fincastle Vineyards and Winery (also a B&B). Nancy hurried into the tasting room, hoping we weren’t too late. I had to pause. The long rays of the sunset light brought extra warmth and glow to the early fall scene, turning the white picket fence a little yellow and emphasizing the occasional fall yellow or maroon reds (not yet at full glory, but just a little more dramatic for their sudden appearance in a landscape that is still mostly green).
Quirigua HDR
High Definition Images (HDR) images taken during a tour group visit to Quirigua Archaeological Park in central Guatemala. Quirigua is home of one of the largest and most well-preserved collections of Mayan stelae and zoomorphs of the Mayan classic period, displayed under thatched roofs in beautifully manicured gardens.
Reflecting Fall
Reston, Virginia, USA
It is a still, cool day at the lake. The colors of autumn leaves and the clear blue sky are reflected in the calm lake, bordered by boats that have been put away for the season. There has been a break in posting as I upgraded our systems to Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system, which I have to admit I greatly prefer over its predecessor, Vista.
