Getting ready to head way South again

One week from today I will be boarding a flight on the first leg of my long journey to South Africa. I have a great road trip planned, so hopefully I will be posting many and varied images on this blog and my photo gallery. We will be traveling through wild coastal scenery, deserts, mountains, and cities. I can't decide which lenses to take. Clothing should be easy; mostly shorts, jeans, flip-flops, hiking boots, and maybe one or two "out for dinner" outfits. Can't wait!This is a view of Table Mountain taken on a previous trip from Bloubergstrand (translated means Blue Mountain Beach).

Gideon's first biltong

Gideon has been teething so this morning we gave him his first taste of biltong (aka South African jerky).This was a series of photos. At first he was a little startled at the unfamiliar taste sensation, but then he decided it was worth pursuing the experience, and finally - Oh Yeah!!The boy has some South African roots for sure ....

Matt at almost 24 years

Homecoming Party

Last night a bunch of friends stopped by to say hello to Leigh, Josh & Gideon. It was good to see you all - thanks for coming!Gideon meets Donovan
Matt, Kyle, Pam & JessicaCherie, K.C., Anne & RobDylan, Melissa, Leigh & Josh

Homecoming

After a year in South Korea, Leigh & Josh returned home to Charleston last night with Gideon. It is so awesome to have them all home safe. It was late, but everyone was so excited, especially over Gideon.The waiting
The arrival
Ellie and Matt meeting their nephew for the first time
Joanne & Ernie re-connecting
Leigh & Matt

Roadtrip to Ridge Spring, SC

This weekend I took a roadtrip with friends to visit a most interesting couple who farm gourds, mainly to house Purple Martins through the breeding season when they arrive from South America, but also for crafters who decorate and sell them. It was the first out of what will be a series of visits through the year because I will be documenting the story of gourds and Purple Martins through four seasons in a photo essay. Here are a few images from my first visit.
Nothing much going on at the farm right now. The gourds are stored in barns through the winter and a roadside farm stall is located at the end of their driveway where the "honor system" rules.These are gourds that have been intricately decorated for Christmas gifts by a talented artist.

And now for something completely different ..

It was a beautiful day, for a change, and I had plans to find something new to photograph, but somehow the time just slipped away. There was church this morning, and then a bunch of us went out for lunch. I ate way more than I should have, so took the dog for some exercise in the park and then started playing on the computer. So I never did bring home any new images, but heck, I can work on the ones I have and create new ones. Here's one that got a makeover.